Blue Jackets' Horton undergoes abdominal surgery

Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nathan Horton underwent abdominal surgery on Friday and is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks.

Horton missed four games with the injury before returning for Tuesday's game against Phoenix, but left the contest after apparently aggravating the issue.

A six-week timetable would allow Horton to return if the Blue Jackets make a deep run in the upcoming playoffs. Columbus qualified for the postseason for the first time since the spring of 2009 earlier this week.

Horton appeared in just 36 games this season and notched five goals with 14 assists for 19 points. He didn't make his debut with the club until early January after recovering from shoulder surgery.

The 28-year-old Ontario native signed a seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets last summer as a free agent, shortly after injuring his shoulder during Boston's trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.